Moroccan diaspora remittances drive agricultural investment

Moroccans living abroad (MREs) represent a significant source of potential investment for the country's agricultural sector, Redouane Arrach, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, said on Thursday in Rabat.

Speaking at an event marking the International Day of Family Remittances, Arrach stressed that transfers from the Moroccan diaspora contribute to the development of the rural economy, both through the creation of agricultural projects and by supporting family farms and entrepreneurial initiatives.

According to him, these funds have helped transform several agricultural regions and serve as a catalyst for investment, wealth creation and job opportunities, particularly for young people and women in rural areas. When directed toward productive activities, remittances can help finance farm modernization, support the launch of small rural enterprises and facilitate the adoption of new technologies.

Arrach also highlighted the Generation Green strategy, which seeks to foster a new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs while expanding economic opportunities across rural Morocco.

The official further pointed to progress in financial inclusion, driven by the expansion of digital payment services, mobile banking, financial literacy programs and financing solutions tailored to the needs of rural communities.

For his part, Driss El Yazami, president of the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME), noted that remittances from Moroccans living overseas have played a crucial role for decades in reducing poverty, supporting investment and creating jobs.

He nevertheless argued that additional mechanisms are needed to channel a greater share of these funds into productive investment, citing administrative, financial and informational barriers that continue to hinder some diaspora-led projects.